Upgrade Your Smile with Dental Implants
“We shall never know all the good that a simple smile can do.” — Mother Teresa
Dental implants are an exceptional permanent solution for replacing missing or extracted teeth. Beyond restoring the completed look of your smile, implants play a critical role in helping maintain your oral health. Whether you’re missing one tooth or an entire arch, our team at Oral & Maxillofacial Surgery of the Lowcountry offer dental implant solutions to replace missing teeth and renew your beautiful smile.
What are Dental Implants?
Dental implants are a permanent solution to replace lost, extracted, or broken teeth. Dental implants are designed to closely mimic the function of your natural teeth and are permanently anchored to the jawbone during an outpatient procedure. After a healing period, patients enjoy a completely restored smile. Thanks to the treatment’s high success rate and longevity, dental implants are considered the gold standard of restorative treatments.
Replace Full Arches with TeethXpress
Missing multiple teeth but tired of wearing dentures? Learn how Dr. Dillard helps fully edentulous patients enjoy the benefits of dental implants combined with the full coverage of a traditional denture. With TeethXpress, patients no longer need to worry about teeth falling out at inopportune times or sticking to a restrictive diet. TeethXpress at Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery of the Lowcountry helps patients regain confidence in their smiles.
Getting Dental Implants for Well-being
Getting dental implants is a multi-step process that occurs over the course of several months. At Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery of the Lowcountry, we want to make sure we give you enough time to heal between each step. Giving your body time recover after your implants have been inserted into the jawbone increases the chance of healthy success, giving a strong, stable base for the placement of the abutment and crown.
What Makes a Good Dental Implant Candidate
Although dental implants are the gold standard for missing teeth restoration, not every patient is immediately eligible for treatment. During your consultation and evaluation with Dr. Dillard, we’ll closely inspect every aspect of your smile and identify whether you’re ready for dental implants. Unhealthy habits play a big role in qualifying for implants and having a successful placement, and it may be necessary to make some lifestyle changes in order to be a candidate. If you’re not a candidate yet, our oral surgeon can include preliminary strategies for preparing your smile for this revolutionary treatment.
Treatment Options Compared
Whether you’re missing one tooth or many, Dr. Dillard can customize the dental implant treatment to meet your specific needs and long-term oral health goals. In addition to traditional single implants, Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery of the Lowcountry offers solutions for partially and fully edentulous patients. Call today to get started. Imagine a smile like you’ve never seen, beautiful and natural.
Sedation Dentistry
Dental anxiety and fear are serious obstacles keeping many patients from achieving their best smile. At Oral & Maxillofacial Surgery of the Lowcountry, Dr. Dillard is trained to provide intravenous sedation for patients, ensure they remain comfortable and calm throughout their appointment.
Dental Implants FAQs
If you’re looking for answers about dental implants, look no further. Dr. Matt Dillard and our team of experts will be here with you every step of the way. If you want a natural-looking smile that works like new, our dental implants could be right for you. Call (843) 881-8775 to learn more.
How long is the dental implant process?
Getting dental implants is split into three appointments. The first appointment is your consultation to see if you’re an ideal candidate for dental implants. At your second appointment, Dr. Dillard will place the implant fixture. This is the section of the implant that acts like the root of a natural tooth to hold the implant firmly in place. It will take about three to five months for the bones in your jaw to develop a secure bond with the implant fixture. During your third appointment, Dr. Dillard will complete your smile by attaching the attractive porcelain crown.
Is the dental implant procedure painful?
At Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery of the Lowcountry, we do everything we can to keep you comfortable during your procedure. Dr. Dillard will administer dental sedation to help you relax completely and ensure you don’t feel any pain.
Is it possible for a dental implant to be placed the same day as an extraction?
Depending on each patient’s jawbone strength, getting a new dental implant fixture placed the same day as an extraction may be possible, and this can even reduce your overall recovery time. But in other cases, Dr. Dillard will recommend waiting until your jaw is fully healed from extraction to begin the implant process.
Is there a specific amount of time should I take off work when getting implants?
Recovery time varies from patient to patient. We suggest resting at home for at least 24 hours after your procedure. We’ll provide a post-operative care guide that tells you how to protect your implants following your surgical procedure.
Is it possible for dental implants to decay?
No. The dental implants themselves are not subject to tooth decay. But the gums that surround them can become vulnerable to infection. You can protect your smile by practicing good oral hygiene every day.
What is the life-span of dental implants?
Dental implants are the most sought-after tooth-replacement option because of how long they can last. If cared for properly, they can stay strong and healthy for over 25 years.
Following your procedure, it’s crucial that you maintain your routine visits to Dr. Dillard’s office. We even recommend scheduling an extra appointment — for a total of three a year — just to be safe.
Dental Implants Can Change Your Life
If you are living without all of your teeth, dental implants and implant-supported treatments are the ideal solutions for fully restoring health and function to your smile. At Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery of the Lowcountry, our mission is to provide high-quality care in a friendly environment. For patients who’ve spent years with missing teeth and are ready for a boost in confidence, our dental implant solutions are designed to restore your smile and the quality of your life for years to come.